Hi, I'm new here!

I have a 9 month old Border Terrier bitch who is wonderful. She loves other dogs and has a number of doggie friends who she plays with reguarly. The problem is that she just goes wild when she sees another dog and yelps and pulls until she is allowed to go and say hello, once she has said hi she can be led away without too much trouble.

To some this may not seem a big problem but its not aways possible for her to have a play with every dog we pass, they don't always like her for a start! She is the same with children as well and the last thing I want is for her to start jumping over some poor child.

Any ideas on how to get her to be calm around other dogs?

thanks

Hi Boo, welcome to the Forum. :)

Your border sounds lovely! But I can understand you don't necessarily want a pulling banshee when you're out walking. Have you a friend with a dog who is happy to walk with you sometimes so that your terrier has company? She may be less likely to have so much interest in other dogs if her friend is calm. If not, does she have a particular toy she loves, that you can distract her with?

This is something she's likely to grow out of when she starts growing up and steadying down, but that may take some years yet!

:)

thanks, she is lovely but can show me up at times when she is pulling so hard to get to another dog that her eyes amost pop out of her head! I'm glad that she loves other dogs but do wish that it wasn't so intense at times. Do you think that this means I have a lack of control over her, she is sweet natured and I'm sure that she knows that I am the boss at home but she does go deaf outside and will do what she wants to do, which is generally great every single dog we see like a long lost friend- even if they are snarling at her!

What sort of collar do you use for her, I would suggest that a half check would be the best method.

Border T's are well known for being food orientated, so give a quick jerk on the lead and as soon as she responds to you and looks at you, then give her a titbit.

Do this in normal circumstances to start with not when she is trying to get to either another dog or a child. The most important thing at the moment is not to do it when she is exhibiting the behaviour you don't want, as in the heat of the moment you may reward her at the wrong moment, and she will get the wrong message. Wait until she responds everytime you jerk on that lead before risking trying it.

If you keep repeating this, she will soon realise that she is being rewarded for paying atention to you.

It won't work the same with an ordinary collar because once excited a Border neither hears nor feels. :-)

HI BOO,

I also have a nine month old border. I have found the best combination of distractions that work with Molly are small pieces of liver strips and a stripy ball!!! Also she is in puberty and being a little bit rebellious!